2011 Ohio St Buckeyes Football Predictions, Odds, Picks and Schedule – 2011 Ohio State NCAA Football Preview

2011 Ohio St Buckeyes College Football Expert Predictions, Picks, Vegas Odds and Schedule – Ohio State NCAA Football Preview: Even the best programs in college football have to rebuild on occasions, but what the Ohio State Buckeyes have been dealing with since the end of last year has gone above and beyond rebuilding. Head coach Jim Tressel resigned in the wake of the tattoo scandal, and Heisman contender Terrelle Pryor left the school for the same reason. Throw in the fact that seven starters on defense are gone and four other players are suspended for the first five games, and the Buckeyes will find it tough to win the Big Ten and play in a BCS game in 2011-12 as they have become accustomed to.

The loss of Pryor alone will take its toll on the OSU offense. He wasn’t the most polished passer, but he was a dynamic player that could beat the defense with his arm and his legs. Pryor could be counted on for at least one play a game when he got the job done with his athleticism alone. The Buckeyes won’t have the luxury this season, and there really isn’t a player on this year’s roster that can take over a game and bail OSU out of trouble.

Fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman will be charged with the unenviable task of replacing Pryor. The good news is that he has plenty of experience and knowledge of the offense. The bad news is that he isn’t going to anything more than a game manager. Bauserman has a good arm, but not a rocket, and he isn’t particularly mobile. While Bauserman will definitely get the first shot under center, but if he struggles, true freshman Braxton Miller could get the reins. After all, he is a dual-threat QB in the mold of Pryor, and he was the No. 2 rated quarterback coming out of high school.

On the ground, the Buckeyes will have a solid offensive line once Mike Adams returns from suspension. Starting running back Daniel Herron will be suspended to start the year as well, but once he returns, OSU should at least be able to rely on its rushing attack. The passing game could be a different story. Even when wide receiver DeVier Posey returns, he will be joined be a very unproven group. If Big Ten opponents can take away the run, the Buckeyes could be in trouble.

To make matters worse, the Buckeyes could have some growing pains on defense as well during a year when they desperately need to give up as few points as possible. Seven starters are gone from last year’s unit that ranked fifth in the nation in terms of points allowed. Although the front seven should remain solid, the secondary loses three starters, including its top cornerback. Ohio State has gotten used to winning with a conservative offense and a dominant defense, but that formula might not work this year.

The Buckeyes do catch a break in terms of the schedule, considering the Big Ten is still rebuilding to a degree. A road game against the Miami Hurricanes figures to be a tough test as well as a home against Michigan State. Both games will be played before the four suspended players return. Once at full strength, the Buckeyes head to Lincoln to play Nebraska with a home game against Wisconsin waiting just a few weeks later. As always, OSU will close the year with a showdown against Michigan.

While the Buckeyes still have plenty of talent, at some points, the distractions off the field become a problem on it. Dealing with a new head coach, a new starting quarterback, and a shuffled lineup for the first five games is going to takes its toll. The program will be just fine in the long run, but this season will likely be a rough one. Without Pryor, the Buckeyes’ offense is one dimensional, and the defense won’t be good enough to compensate. OSU will make a bowl game, but a conference title seems unlikely.

2011 Ohio St Buckeyes College Football Predictions: 8-4 Record

Preseason 2011 Ohio St Buckeyes NCAA Football Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS Championship: +3000
Odds to Win 2011 Big Ten Champonship: +500
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2011 Ohio St Buckeyes College Football Schedule
Sat, Sep 3 Akron 12:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 10 Toledo 12:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 17 at Miami (FL) TBA —
Sat, Sep 24 Colorado TBA —
Sat, Oct 1 Michigan State TBA —
Sat, Oct 8 at Nebraska 8:00 pm —
Sat, Oct 15 at Illinois TBA —
Sat, Oct 29 Wisconsin 8:00 pm —
Sat, Nov 5 Indiana TBA —
Sat, Nov 12 at Purdue TBA —
Sat, Nov 19 Penn State TBA —
Sat, Nov 26 at Michigan TBA —

Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 Big Ten Football Expert Picks, Odds and Preview article.

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